I chose to attend SDSU because I was immediately drawn to the campus narrative. Every campus has a story. Every story is told by its students. The story at SDSU is one of a high quality of life and progressive ideas.

2. What inspired you to declare your major?

Communication is something I struggled with. It’s complicated and easily misunderstood, which is why I am drawn to it. Instead of turning away from things that scare me or make me uncertain, I would rather explore those feelings and discover why that is. Communication feeds my need for answers and pushes me to go the direction of uncertainty.

3. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

“Sure, Vy Not”. It was something Germans would always say when proposed an idea. While studying abroad in Germany, an idea would come from someone who wanted to go out for the night, take a trip to another country, or stay in and make an elegant dinner for the flat. When such proposals would come up, my German friends and roommate would always retort “Sure, Vy Not”. Now of course they are saying “Sure why not”, but with an accent; however, that phrase taught me that there is never a reason not to do anything. That saying or advice from my German friends made my time abroad the best year of my college career and allowed me to have more experiences and stories than I would have had.

4. Which SDSU faculty or staff member has been the most influential throughout your SDSU journey?

There are so many influential and iconic people who have helped me during my college career. Marquesa Cook-Whearty, Bessie Watson and Sharon Taylor all deserve credit, but the person who has shaped, trained, and equipped me the most is Michael McHan. I met Michael during his time as a graduate student at SDSU. He was my Communication 103 T.A. at that time. I remember asking him to become my mentor after class one day, and he humbly accepted. Five years later, he is still teaching me.

5. What experience at SDSU has changed your life the most?

It is absolutely study abroad. Never had I thought that traveling would change my perspective of myself and others so drastically. Being in nearly 30 different countries and 90 major cities around the world, I had my fair share of "aha" and “wow” moments. Traveling offers you a new perception of life and puts things in order.

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope to have completed my master’s degree and be teaching lectures here in SDSU's Department of Communication.

7. What’s your favorite thing about being an Aztec?

My favorite thing about being an Aztec is the spirit. No school can compare to the passion our students have at football games, in Greek life, and our displays for social equality. We shake the stadium like an earthquake can, have the best Greek life, and assemble when something is not right. Being an Aztec means being vocal, expressive, and unafraid to do what is right.